This practical guide for doing policy analysis is written for academics who want to get their research to the attention of decision-makers in the public sector, or who want to train their students in the skills necessary to undertake policy-relevant research. Readers will learn: how to prepare an unbiased description of a problem to be studied;

the various diagnostic techniques;

the rules for designing policy prescriptions;

how to use formal forecasting models;

how to reach consensus over fiscal and benefits analysis; how to do costs and benefits analysis strategies for the effective communication of policy analysis.